The way to bliss. In three books. Made publick, by Elias Ashmole Esq.

TO THE READER.

IT is now somewhat above five years, since I pu∣blished the first Part of my THEATRUM CHEMICUM BRITANNICUM; immedi∣ately after which, my Studies of that Nature received most unfortunate Interruptions, from the Commencement of several vexatious Suits a∣gainst me: But GOD, not onely enabled me to endure those impetuous multiplied Stormes, but some few Moneths since, was pleased to sweeten my long-Sufferings with a fair and peaceful Issue.

And because my Studies in HERMETICK PHILOSO∣PHY, would not bear with the aforesaid troublesome Rubs, (She requiring a serene Minde, quiet Thoughts, unwearied Endeavours, indeed the whole Man,) I was with great unwil∣lingness forced to lay them aside: Yet, (that I might not tot••••••y quit Minerva's society, who had nurst me up so indulgently,) I betook my self to such other Studies, whose Nature would better deal with Disturbances, and suffer themselves (when un∣happily broken off) to be reassumed with less difficulty; and where Variety also might beget something of Appetite and Delight.

All this while I well hoped to meet with One or Other, who (inclined to advance the honour of HERMES his Family) would have taken the pains of adding a Second Volume to my said THEATRUM, in regard those successive Troubles (hang∣ing so long and heavily upon me) had denied me the Leisure: Nor were either my Invitations to it wanting, or the free Con∣tribution of whatever I had so painfully Collected, unoffered: to the end my Design (of letting the World see, what excellent Men we had once of our own Nation, famous as well for that kind of Philosophy, as any other Learning, and Masters of so transcendent a Secret;) might have been furthered: Notwith∣standing this, I hear of nothing (hitherto) done, nothing en∣deaoured.

But instead thereof, I lately met with a pretended Copy of the following Discourse, ready fitted for the Press, which (up∣on perusal) I found mutilated with many Imperfections, much injured by several incongruous Additions, and they confest to be onely made up of some scattered Shreds and Fragments, collected from the whole Work; And besides intended, that the World should take it for the Child of one Eugenius Theo∣didactus, being (by Re-baptization) called the Wise Man's Crown, or Rosie-Crucian Physick; under which Titles notice hath been given of its coming abroad, by other Books since Published. All which considered, together with the Zeal I have for this noble Science, and Regret to see so able a Champi∣on thereof thus boldly, thus nefariously robb'd and dispoiled of his Honour; loth I was any longer to keep my Perfect Copy by me; and thereupon resolved, rather to venture it abroad, (though unaccompanied,) to prevent the Injury would other∣wise be done our dead Author, and the World. (I say unaccom∣panied, for my past and present Engagements, in finishing the Productions of some of those Houres, I snatch'd from the in∣tervals of my late Disturbances, will not afford me time to fit it with such Associates, as formerly I intended should com∣plete one of the later Parts, of my above mentioned THEA∣TRUM.) However, (considering the Nature of this Piece,) it will properly enough appear by it self, and very well serve as a large Preface, to usher forth the remaining Volumes, (or any

thing else,) that shall be published of this Subject.

As for our Author, he was without doubt an ENGLISH∣MAN, but hath hitherto passed with us among the Anonymi, and the Book (his Off-spring) shews it self sufficiently Legiti∣mate, though the true Father thereof be as yet unknown. I have heard some notable Stories, and those backt with perswa∣sive Circumstances, to make an easie Faith think the Providence very observable, that not onely furnished a laborious searcher into this myst••rious Learning, with the Original it self, but most fortunately directed him to three Grains of the Powder, closed up between two Leaves thereof, with which he made Projection; But I affect not to Fly-blow the Ears of my Rea∣ders: Onely this, I can modestly averr, that my Copy was a Transcript of that Original.

The Work seems to be written about the beginning of the last (or end of the former) Century; The main drift of the Au∣thor being from weighty and serious Arguments and Exam∣ples, to prove the Possibility of such a thing as the PHILOSO∣PHERS STONE: whereby is largely manifested, that Nature has exhibited greater Wonders to the view of the World, and as great things have been (and consequently may be) performed by other weaker & lesser Means, where a due, friendly, and Phi∣losophical conjunction of Art and Nature is fully understood. And yet howbeit (because such are familiar unto, and ordinary among us) we consider them not. Tis a Discourse fraught with variety of excellent rational Matter, and fitted to the Learned as well as meaner Capacities; Nay, such, as I boldly perswade my self, will fully satisfie both, beyond any thing yet extant of this Nature: and I believe many captious Arguments, hereto∣fore used and urged, against the truth of this so infallible a Sci∣ence, will here meet with satisfactory Solutions, and henceforth find no further place in any Discourse savouring but of Sobriety.

I must also acquaint my Reader, that this piece was of so high a value with the industrious Doctor Everard, as it invited him to bestow his pains in the Marginal Notes; wherein (like a skilful Philosopher, whose first operation is to make Hidden things Manifest) he drew forth and discovered, that which our Authors Magisterial Pen thought fit to conceal; and having

obtained those Notes (they being added to a Transcript of this Work, and both fairly written with the Doctors hand) from a ve∣ry intimate Friend (one extraordinary Learned, and a great Or∣nament of our Nation) I was willing to make them publick also.

And now (I confess) notwithstanding all this, I do not ex∣pect, what I here publish, should please every Palate; in re∣gard the Fate of Mens Writings is very much suitable to that of Money, which sometimes passeth currant, and at other times is cryed down, or called in: To this I consider, how we are not born with Fancies and Appetites, that relish every thing alike; and that 'tis as possible to shape a Coat for the Moon, as to Print a Book that can please every Genius: such and so various are the generality of our Inclinations! Besides, I have often obser∣ved, that Men, both Wise and Learned, distaste or affect not some parts of Learning, and yet by a secret willingness, or natural force, are carried on in Admiration and Love of other Branches thereof; And this I suppose partly growes from the neglect of a strict and unbyassed Examination of their choyce, which (if made) would appear to proceed more from Affection than Judg∣ment.

But if any whose Ignorance in, or Disaffection to this Divine and laudable Science, shall think no better of the Work, then of a Spiders Web, [fit onely to be swept away:] I shall never∣theless confidently hope it will fall into some other hands, that may consider the curiosity of the Woofe, and esteem it worthy their Contemplation, to observe how our Author (like that in∣genious Creature travelling with her Industry) hath composed a Discourse, whose Excellencies will not discover themselves to the satisfaction of a superficial Eye, but onely the intent and se∣rious Inquisitor; And that such may reap all possible Advan∣tage by their Labour, is the hearty desire of

E. ASHMOLE.

April 16. 1658.